Artist with autism dares to dream in colour

Coutts, who lives with autism and has limited verbal communication, will hold her first solo exhibition, ‘Dare to Dream’, at Wilkinson Gallery at Claremont Showgrounds from August 2 to 4 with support from Australia’s biggest disability employment provider APM.

Artist Brittney Coutts.

The 25-year-old already has a string of awards and won the Nexus grant in 2018 and 2019.

Since 2016, she has studied at Disability and Disadvantage in the Arts Australia (DADAA) Midland, which provides access to arts and culture for people with disability or a lived experience of mental illness.

Coutts hopes her first solo exhibition will be a springboard to take her art to the next level and achieve greater recognition and financial independence.

She is partial to bright colours and finds her inspiration in nature, Disney animation, fairy tales, music and theatre.

“I have autism and I love to paint as it allows me to express myself and my love for life,” Coutts said through her family.

“I find it difficult to communicate with words, so I use colours and shapes to express my feelings and ideas to the world.”

‘Aurora’ by Brittney Coutts.

Brittney said the biggest hurdle she had encountered was to be recognised for her artistic ability.

“Art has given me confidence and a way to express myself, to bring happiness to others and to participate in the community,” she said.

APM Group chief executive Michael Anghie said the company was proud to sponsor Brittney’s first solo exhibition.

“APM helps people with disability lead fuller and richer lives and we’re very pleased to support ‘Dare to Dream’ and wish Britt the very best for her future artistic success,” he said.